This study investigates the effects of daily use of lithia water on blood tests of neuronal oxidative stress, mood, and well-being. Lithia water is a type of pure spring water containing trace levels of lithium, which is a naturally occurring mineral. Neuronal oxidative stress is caused by normal chemical reactions in the human body that sometimes result in damage to brain cells. Participation in this study will last for 8 weeks and includes daily use of study water for drinking.

The primary objective of this pilot study is to test the hypothesis that, in healthy male participants, daily use of lithia water will improve neurogenesis and antioxidant capacity as measured by serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and oxidative stress markers. Secondary objectives will include examining self-reported changes in mood, cognition, and well-being.

There is some indication from epidemiological studies that areas with trace concentrations of lithium in drinking water have lower rates of suicide. This study will evaluate the effects of drinking EDJ (pronounced "edge") lithia spring water (which comes from a natural spring in the Rocky Mountains and contains trace amounts [0.68 mg/litre] of lithium) for 4 weeks, compared to drinking commercially available bottled water (which contains no lithium at all) for 4 weeks.

This pilot study has been designed as an 8-week randomized, counterbalanced, crossover study in 15 healthy male participants. Eligible participants will use lithia water or control water for daily ingestion for 4 weeks, then cross over to the other condition for another 4 weeks. At baseline and after each 4-week condition, participants will complete self-report questionnaires of mood, cognition and well-being, and blood samples will be assayed for BDNF and oxidative stress protein markers.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

19 Years to 35 Years

Genders Eligible for Study:

Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

Yes

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Male participants aged 19-35 years. [Note: women are excluded in this pilot study because the variable effects of female sex hormones on oxidative stress markers and neurogenesis];

No current, past or family history (in first-degree relatives) of a major psychiatric disorder or alcohol/substance abuse/dependence;

No regular use of prescribed or over-the-counter medications or illicit substances;

Negative urine drug-screening test; and

Competency to give informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

See above

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01257867